Milton-Freewater Woman, 79, Killed in Highway 11 Pedestrian Crash

UMATILLA COUNTY, Ore. — A 79-year-old Milton-Freewater woman was killed Wednesday evening, Nov. 4, after being struck by a vehicle while attempting to cross Highway 11 in Umatilla County.

According to Oregon State Police, troopers responded to the crash near milepost 33, close to Appleton Road, at approximately 5:45 p.m.

The preliminary investigation found that a northbound blue Dodge Dakota, driven by Leslie Franklin King, 89, of Milton-Freewater, struck Barbara Jane Freel, 79, as she attempted to cross the highway.

Freel was reportedly wearing dark clothing at the time of the crash, which occurred under low-light conditions.

Bystanders attempted life-saving measures, but Freel was pronounced dead at the scene.

King and an adult passenger in the Dodge were not injured.

Highway 11 was impacted for approximately three hours while investigators examined the scene.

Oregon State Police were assisted by the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office, Milton-Freewater Police Department, Milton-Freewater Rural Fire Department and EMS, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.